Refrigerating unit



Sept. 15, 1931. I R REPLQGLE 1,823,004

REFRIGERATING UNIT in Filed J 6. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 15, 1931. J. R. REPLOG'LE. ,823,0 4

.REFRIGERATING UNIT Original Fi led June s. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2' Sept. 15, 1931. J. R. REPLOGLE REFRIGERATING UNIT Original Filed June 6, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 15, 1931., I J. REPLOGLE 1 1,323,004

REFRIGERATING UNIT Original Filed June 6, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept-15,1931

UNITED STA ES PATENT OFFICE I JOHN B. BEIPLOGLE, 01' DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS; 'I'O KELVINATOB CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN anrnrennarme vim:

Original application This invention relates to refrigeration apparatus and to such devices as are adapted to maintain comparatively low temperatures in cold storage rooms, or chambers in refrigerators, or in any enclosed space where such a condition is desired, the present applica tion being a division of my co ending application Serial No. 475,344, fi ed June 6, 1921.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of the character referred to, which is highl compact, which can be transported from p ace to place as a unitary structure, can be easily installed in any enclosed space and will eificiently maintain in that space a suitable low temperature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which will mechanically agitate, circulate, and thoroughly mix at frequent intervals, the air in an enclosed space.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a highly compact motor-compressor-condenser-vaporizer unit for refrigeration purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a highly efiicient means for automatically maintaining a cool atmosphere in an enclosed space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a motor driven refrigerating apparatus adapted to cool the air of enclosed spaces and which has improved means for automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus in order to maintain the air at a desired low temperature. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration unit comprising a vaporizer of improved construction ,and arrangement of parts.

Other objects more or less incidental or ancillary to the foregoing will appear to those skilled in the art from an examination of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

filed .lune"8, 1921, Serial No. 475,844, and in Canada February 11, 1922. Divided and this application filed June 10, 1997. Serial No. 197,948.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my refrigerating unit, the enclosing casing therefor being shown in section. I

ig. 2 is a side elevation of the device, also showing the enclosing casing in section.

Fi 3 is a side elevation of the expansion cham er, some of the parts being broken away, and others in section. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section taken on line-4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of heat absorbing fins with respect to the refrigerant circulating tubes.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2, showing the manner of attaching the refri erant circulating tubes to the expansion 0 amber.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of the device.

Fi 7 is an enlarged detail view showing t e arrangement of heat absorbin fins used in the modified form disclosed in h ig. 6. Fig. 8 is an elevation of a blank from which the fins disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 are formed.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view, some of the parts being broken away and others in section, of a conventional cooling room em loyed in retail shops orstores with a plura ity of -my improved refrigerating. units located therein.

10 is a side elevation, some of the parts shown in section and some broken away, of

a cooling room with a cooling unit shown in commonly employed, heretofore, as'the cooling agent, or means for reducing and main.-

taining a comparatively lowtem rature therein. But ice as a cooling agent 15 unseat-.-

- is also objectionable because of the 'isfactory for various reasons. It is costlytroublesome, ineificient and unsanitaryi an '8 space and equipment necessary for its utilization. It is ahnost impossible to re late the temperature of an enclosed space t at is cooled by means of natural or artificial ice. Moreover, in extremely hot weather it is not an infrequent occurrence for all t e ice in the ice rece tacle to melt before it can be replenished, t us causing deterioration and loss of articles that have been placed within the cooling or refrigerating space.

In large refrlgerating spaces or rooms it has been found to be less expensive and more satisfactor in every way to install machin-.

cry to mec anically maintain those spaces or rooms at the required low temperature. But,

heretofore, such machinery has been too ex-' pensive in its original cost, and in its cost of installation and operation, to be employed in other than large rooms or spaces. Moreover, replacements and repairs in and for such devices require the presence and services of an ex ert.

These an 7 come by the device herein disclosed which consists of a comparatively small portable unitary refrigerating unit that may be' installed by any ordinary workman and when installed it will automatically maintain the cooling room or enclosure at a predetermined low temperature without the services of an o erator or attendant. This device is es ecially adapted for cooling rooms'or enc osures of comparatively large dimensions. In other words, the device is primarily intended for the use of merchants and dealers engaged in the retail trade.

My improved unit consists essentially in a gas lique ying means 1, a vaporizer 2 or heat absorbing means, and a sheet metal enclosing casing 3. The gas liquefying means consists in a motor 4 which operates a compressor located within the casing 5, and a water cooled condenser indicatedat 6. This gas liquef ing means 1 is operatively connected with t e vaporizer 2 .to form a closed refrigeration system. The va orizer consists of an expans1on chamber or eader 7 with depending refri rant circulatin tubes 8 havin heat absori ing plates or us 8a attach thereto. The casing 3 is designed to enclose the refrigeration system and is adapted to be placed in a cooling room or an enclosed space where a low temperature is esired.

In order that the atmosphere in all parts of the cooling room shall bemaintained at a uniform constant temperature, a fan for agitating and circulating the air is provided.

This fan is so arranged that it directs the air across the vaporizer whereby the air is cooled.

It is not necessary, however, that-the fan be run continuousliy in order to maintain the room at a pre et other disadvantages are over any vibration of the workin ermined temperature. A

thermostat is provided for automatically I starting and stopping the fan in order to maintain the room at the required temperature. r

As shown in Fig. 1, the electric fan 9 is mounted on the casing 3 directly above the air inlet opening 10, (see Figs. 1 and 42 in the top wall of the casin 3 in any suitab e manner. deflector 11 directs the air across the vaporizer.

-Thermally operated means are employed to control the operation 'of the fan. As shown, a thermostat 12 is mounted in any convenient manner either on the casin 3 or at any convenient point within the enc osure in which the unit is employed. As shown in Fig; 1, a plate 14 is attached to one side wall of the casing and extends above the same to which is attached the thermostat. The thermostat is arranged to open and close the switch'for operating the electric fan. The thermostat may be adjusted in the usual manner to operate at an desirable redetermined temperatures. ince the the thermostat constitute no part of my invention, those details are not herein described.

The sheet metal casing 3 is formed with top, front, back and end walls 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectivel which are secured together in any suitab e manner as by means of the bolts, so that one or more sides ma be readily removed. to permit'access to t e interior thereof. This casing is secured to the base 'member 19 by means of suitable angle bars 20. As'shown, the base member is provided with the air outlet opening 21 to permit cool air, from around the vaporizer, to escape to the outside room or enclosure so as to cool the same. i

Enclosed within this casin as for example at the left side thereo and resting etails of on the base member 19'is the gas liquefying 2 means or motor-comp'ressor-condenser unit l. This unit is provided with suitable flexible supports 22 so as to minimize the effect of parts. In order to prevent any noise ma' e y the motorcompress'or-condenser unit 1 from being heard and to prevent undue heat transfer, this unit is isolated from the vaporizer 2 by means of the housin 23. This housingmay be made of any suitdble material, preferably of heat insulating material, and the walls are connected together in any suitable manner as b means of the brackets'24. The bottom w'a'l of this housing is-formed from sheet metal bent to proper'formto constitute an oil receptacle or pan. 25. In order to conserve material, the to wall of this housing 23 may be provide with an a erture through which the upper portion of t e condenser Gmay extend. This aperture is closed 7 closing the gearing, just described, that-transmits the power from the motor to the compressor.

The compressor is adapted to receive vaporized refrigerant through its suction inlet, compress the vapor and discharge it into the condenser where the combined pressure and cooling liquefy it. The suction side of the compressor is connected by a conduit 32 with the vapor space of thevaporizer 2. The discharge port of the condenser'is connected by a conduit 33 to the refrigerant inlet of the said vaporizer, said conduit being adapted to conduct liquid refrigerant to the vaporizerfroin the condenser. Any suitable refrigerant can be employed in so far as some features of the invention are concerned; but I prefer to use sul hur dioxide The details 0 the compressor and con-v denser construction have not been set forth because the compressor and condenser, in so far as the present invention is concerned, may have any construction adapted to perform the compressor and condenser functions. However, the details of the compressor and condenser are fully disclosed in my said application Serial N 0. 475,344 to which reference can be made if desired.

The evaporator or vaporizer 2 is support ed at one side of and exterior of the housing 23 by any suitable means such as the U-shaped supports 34 which are detachably mounted on the gear casing 31 and compressor casing 5 by means of the bolts 34a. The ends of the. supports extend upwardl and are detachably secured to the downward 1 extending ends of saddles 35 which engage the upper surface of the header or vaporizer chamber 7. Bars 36are supported on the saddles 35 at each side of the chamber 7. Secured to the bars 36 at each end thereof are loops 37 which engage beneath the chamber 7 at each end thereof to support the same.

Itwill be noted that deflector or air guiding plate 11 and the side wall 38 of the housing 23 nearest the vaporizer form one side wall of a cooling chamber 39.- The remaining walls of this chamber are formed by the top wall 15, the front wall 16, the back wall 17 and the end wall 18 of the casing 3 which encloses the entire unit. The vaporizer is supported within this chamber 39 and the air inlet opening 10 of the casing 3 is arranged directly over the vaporizer. Also, it will be noted that I have provided an additional wall 40 which is a continuation of the side wall 38 of the housing 23 and extends .verse areas on downwardly and underneath the housing to provide an additional means for preventing the cool air from coming into contact with the bottom portion of the motor-compressor-condenser unit 1. The refrigerant circu lating tubes and heat absorbing fins 8a transversely fill practically the entire side and bottom space of the cooling chamber thus providing a maximum amount of heat absor ing surfacesfor the warm air entering through the opening 10.

' he vaporizer includes a vaporizer chamber or header, an inlet valve, a float for controlling the same so that a body of liquid refrigerant is maintained in the vaporizer, and tubes bent to form loops and attached at both their ends to the said header so that the liquid refrigerant -may circulate therethrough.

The front end of the vaporizer chamber 7 (see Fig. 3) is provided with an inwardly extendingbead 41. A concave reentrant end wall member 42 of sheet metal has its peripheral portion flanged to conform to the inner periphery of the sheet metal body portion or side wall 43 of the chamber and is inserted against the head 41 with the convex surface extending inwardly. The forward edge 44 of the body portion or side wall of the chamber is then bent inwardly over the flange of the end wall to secure the same'in position. The parts may then be suitably soldered. This arrangement permits the use of sheet metal head and side walls and at the same time provides a head well adapted to resist internal pressure without leaking or giving way. Also, it is to be noted that the reentrant form of the end wall has the effect of reducing the interior space of the header without reducing the length'of the side wall surface available for attaching thecirculating tubes, as is obvious from the fact that the transversesectional area of the header on a planesbounding the. last circu-. lating tube at the front end of the header (the right end as viewed in Fig. 3) is annular in form and much less than the trans- 1planes to the left of the reentrant end wa l. 1

The rear end of the chamber is rovid'ed with ahead or end wall 45'having t e annular peripheral groove 46 in which is secured the rear end of the cylindrical body portion or side wall 43 of the chamber 7. The head 45 is provided with an aperture 47. The head 45 is provided with an annular groove 48 extending about the aperture 47. This groove is rectangular in cross section and has seated therein an .annular gasket 49 of suitable soft material, as lead, of the same width as the groove but of slightly greater thickess. than the depth of said groove. A removable closure 50 provided with an inwardly extending boss 51 fitting within said aperture 47 and provided also with a flange 52 ove rlying said gasket is adapted to be secured to said head byscrews 53 which engage said flange. The clamping of the closure against the head causes the material of the gasket to flow and effectively seal-the joint between the head and closureat each side of the gasket.

The closure has an inwardly projectin member 54 secured thereto which is provide with an inlet opening 55, in the outer end of which is secured the upper end of the liquid refrigerant conduit 33 the lower end of which is in communication with the condenser chamber 6 through a suitable charging valve 56 (see Fig. 1). A strainer 57 located within the opening is secured to the end of the conduit 33. The member 54 is provided with a port 58 through which liquid refrigerant is adapted to pass from the conduit 33 into the chamber 7. The port 58 is closed by the ball valve 59 which is opened by the differential pressure. A spring 60 carried by the float lever 61 holds the valve in such proximity toits seat that when the compressor is not operating the raisingof the float due to the elevation of the liquid level in the chamber 7 will close the same. Moreover, the spring will prevent injury to the valve while the device is being moved or shipped. The float lever is pivoted to the membcr54 at 62 and is limited in its movement by the pin 63 which engages in a notch 64 in the said lever. The lever 61 is operated by the float 65 as disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 1,615,406. The liquid refrigerant containing more or less lubricant in solution therewith isforced into the chamber 7 and asthe refrigerant vaporizes and is withdrawn the lubricant being lighter than the refrigerant floats thereon. The float is so constructed that it floats at the intersection of the two liquids as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The closure 50 is providedwith an outlet 66 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3). A plate or block 67 is secured over the outlet 66. The block 67 is provided with a laterally extending aperture 68 in communication with the outlet 66. A conduit 32 communicating with the aperture 68 at its upper end has its lower end in communication with the suction inlet of the compressor casing 5. The compressor draws the vaporous refrigerant into the easing 5 from the chamber 7 through this conduit 32 when the device is in operation. A tube 69 is secured in the outlet passage 66 and extends inwardly and upwardly within the chamber 7 and is provided with apertures 70 through which the oil, which is left behind by the vaporization of the refrigerant and floats on the same, overflows and finds its wa back to the crank case through the conduit 32. A baffle plate 71 maybe employed, if desired, to prevent liquid refrigerant being thrown into the tube 32 by the ebullition thereof. The cap or plate 67 vis also 'in theleft side of the chamber.

' neetions.

provided with the aperture 72 which is in communication with the outlet port 66. A conduit 73 has one end secured-1n the apertu-re 72 and has its other end connected to the controller or switch control mechanism located in the casin 74.

In order to increase the heat conducting surface of the vaporizer, one or more ipes or expansion coils may be employed. hese pipes may be of any shape or form and arranged in any suitable manner in so far as some aspects of the invention are concerned. However, in the preferred construction shown, the pipes or expansion coils 8 are arranged in two series of loops 75 and 76. In one series of pipes or expansion coils 75 each pipe ofcoil has one end secured in the bottom of the' chamber at the left of the center thereof, and extending downwardly laterally and upwardly is secured in the right side of the chamber. In other series .of pipes or expansion coils 76, each pipe or coil has one end secured'in the bottom of the chamber 7 at the right thereof, and extending downwardly laterallyand upwardly is secured The loops are arranged in parallel planes at right angles to the chamber. The pipes are arranged in this manner in order not to unnecessarily weaken the Walls of the chamber 7 and also for the reason that this arrangement forms a space in which ice trays may be inserted, if desired, when the unit is employed in. refrigerators. In order to further increase the heat conducting surface of the vaporizer, fins or sheet metal plates 8a may be arranged in any suitable manner, for instance, in the form of loops, as illustrated in Fi s. .2 and 4 and attached as by soldering, to t eipes 75 and 76. Obviously the vertically isposed fins 8a facilitate convection circulation of the air cooled as well as increase the heat-conducting surface of the vaporizer.

In securing the pipes 75-and 76 in the chamber 7, the wall of said chamber is punched inwardly so thatthe inwardly extending portion or oss 78 about eachhole (see Fig. .5) will afford an extendedsurface towhich the ends of the pipes may be soldered, thus insuring permanency and rigidity of the con- While it is possible to make the sheet metal and tubular parts of the vaporizer of various metals, I prefer to use cop er because, as is well known, it is easily wor ed and has high thermal conductivity. 1

The motor for operating the device is started and stopped automatically by suitable controlling mechanism. The controlling mechanism for this purpose is pressure operated. It is the usual practice in pressure controllers to employ a fluid thermostat for automatically starting and stopping the motor. I have found, however, that the employment of a thermostat for this purpose is unnecessary because by placing the controller in direct communication with the expansion chamber,

the o eration of the motor may be more efii cient y controlled without a fluid thermostat than with'one. In the resent invention the switch controlling. mec anisln for starting and stopping the motor .is operated directly by the pressure in the expansion chamber,

and since the'pressure in the expansion chamber increases as the internal temperature increases and vice versa it follows that the operation of the motor is controlled by-the internal temperature. This is an important? feature of my invention.

As shown, the conduit 73 communicates at one end with a pressureoperated sylphon enclosed in the casing 74 which 0 erates the i controller switch for the motor enc osed within the casing 111, and communicates at its other end with the vapor space of the vaporizer 2. As the pressure increases within the vaporizer due to rising temperature, it is transferred to the sylphon by means of the conduit 7 3 and due to the operation of the sylphon'mechanism, the motor switch is closed thereby starting the operation of the com pressor. As the pressure falls within the vaporize-r the sylphon mechanism will be operated in an opposite manner-t0 open'the' motor switch and stop the operation of the compressor. The detail construction and operation of the sylphon control for the motor switch will not be disclosed in this application, as those details form no part of the invention herein claimed. A full disclosure is found in my copendin No. 475,344 above referred to.

In the use of my improved apparatus asan. air-cooling unit, the air of the enclosure to be cooled is usually maintainedat a temperature above the freezing point of water and consequently when the air is circulated by the fan and comes in contact with the colder surfaces of the refrigerant vaporizer, mo sture present application Serial in the air is condensed on the surfaces of the vaporizer and there frozen; or as it is usually expressed, the vaporizer becomes frosted. The frost or ice may thus form on the vaporizer to a considerable depth. However, as

the mechanism of the switch operating device is so constructed and adjusted that the switch is opened at a substantially lower internal temperature of the vaporizer than the temperature at which it is closed, when the switch has been opened, and as the fan continues to circulate the air over the vaporizer, the latter is defrosted because the temperature of the air is above the freezing pont' of water and the vaporizer is abstracting less heat from the air while the compressor is not operating and the internal temperature of the vaporizer is graduallv rising. The water formed by the melt'ng frost or 'ce may be collected in a pan or receptacle from which itma-y be conducted to the sewer if it is desired to maintain the air in the enclosure dry. If, however, it is desirable that a normal amount of moisture-be maintained in the air to prevent the drying out of certain foods, such as meats or the like, the-water is left in the receptacle to be reabsorbed by the air.

In connection with the frosting and defrosting action above referred to, a peculiar advantage resides in the nature of the automatic control provided for the operation of the refrigerant com ressor and the fan motor, respectively. n my system, the fluid pressure actuating device for operating the switch of the compressor motor is responsive to changes of temperature of the means for absorbing heat from the air to be cooled. In the preferred construction illustrated this heat-absorbing means consists, of course, of

the'vaporizer, with the walls of which the air comes in contact, and the switch-actuating device is responsive to-the temperature not merely of ,the vaporizer structure but also and primarily of the. refrigerantvapor in the vaporizer. This system-of compressor control is peculiarly advantageous in connection with the cooling of the air because when the heat-absorbing device becomes frosted,-

as above described, the frost or ice coating is a very podr conductor of heat so that if, for example, the compressor control devices were made responsive to the air surrounding the heat absorbing means, the compressor might continue operating very much longer than should'be necessary and at a lower vapor temperature than characterizes the operation of my apparatus under similar circumstances.

Such operation at lower internal tempera-' .ture' would greatly reduce the efiiciency and the capacity of the compressor mechanism as to maintain the desired temperature in the space to be cooled.

While I prefer in many instances that-the compressor, condenser and vaporizer be embodied in'a unitary structure as above described, it is obvious that some of the main advantages of the invention can be realized if the compressor and condenser are installed in some suitable position more or less remote from the vaporizer or cooling element.

The form of the device shown in Fig. 6 is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 5 exec t'for a difierent arrangement of the fan and a different form and arrangement f of the heatconducting fins. In this form the I fan9 is mounted in an opening 79 in the rear wall of the casing 3 directly in rear ,of the vaporizer 2 so that it may direct a current of air alon through and about the vaporizer coils an out the openin 81a in the opposite side of the cooling cham er. I

In order to increase the heat conducting surface of the vaporizer, heat conducting members of any suitable form may be attached to the vaporizer in any convenient manner. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, each U- shaped coil ma be provided with a heat conductin plate 2-extending from one side of the coi to the other; and provided with fins. The heat conducting lates 82 may each be made from a plate of sheet metal, by first slitting the same as at 83 to form the fins 84,

then bending the fins at right angles to the main bod portion of the plate as clearly shown in i 7. By arranging the fins edgewise to the direction of the current they will offer a minimum amount of resistance to the passage of air through the vaporizer coils. As in the case of the first described form of vaporizer, the sheet metal and tubular-parts circumstances which form of the device is better suited for use in any particular enclosure, such as the size and shape of the enclosure and the nature or character of the work to be 'done'. .For instanceywhere the device is employed in a cooling room designed for ice, the form of the device shown in Fig. 6 may be employed without making any change whatever in the room, except to rovide water and electrical connections. It is only necessary to place the coolin .unit on the floor of the ice compartment an; make the necessary electrical and water connections. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 9. a

In Fig. 9 is shown a usual .or conventional cooling room employed in stores, shops and the like. The cooling room 85 is provided with the lower compartment 86 in which meat or 'other articles may be placed or suspended from the hooks 87, and theupper compartment 88 in which the ice is placed. The upper compartment ispr'ovided with a floor 89 which is narrower than the width .of the room and is so located that there is a ventilating space between each side wall and the floor. A narrow vertical wall 90 rises from one edge of the floor and when ice is employed causes the natural circulation of air across the ice in the direction of the arrows, warmer air ascending on that side and the cooler air descending on the other.

In the up lication of my invention to the conventiona ice refrigerator described above,-

in order to conserve space in the lower compartment, one or more cooling units may be placed in the ice compartment. As shown'on .70 the drawings, three units A, A, A, of the form shown in .Fi 6-are employed. They.

direction as when ice is employed. A single thermostat 91 for controlling the fans is secured to the cooling room wall in such a position that it is directlyin front of one of the fans whereby it is more readily afiected y the lowered temperature of the air forced across the va rizer.

Any suitab e whereby each fan and each motor'operates independentl of the others. By is arrangement, s ould one unit get out of order it will not afiect the operation of the others. Since the circuits of the three units are similar only one need be traced. The fan circuit for the unit A may be 'tracedas follows. The current enters through lead 100, fuse 101 passes through the fuse 102,.switch 103 and form of wiring may be employed. In Fig. 11 is shown a preferred wir-' conductor 104 to the fan 9, thence, through the conductor 105 to the thermostat 91. From the. thermostat the current passes through the return wire 106, switch 103, fuse 102' and back to the lead 107.

The motor circuit for the same unit is traced as follows The current enters through the lead 100 as before through the switch 108, and suitable fuses,nthence through. the

conductor 109 to an electrically operated water valve 110, thence through c pressure operated controller switch 111 to the motor 4 and back to the'lead 107 through the conductor 112, switch 108 and proper fuses.

In Fig. 10 is shown a section of a cooling room that is designed for mechanical coolers. It is similar to the room shown in Fig. 9 with the ice supporting floor 89 removed. One or more cooling units may be secured to one of the side walls 92in any convenient manner. As shown on the drawing a bracket 93 is secured in an elevated position to one of the side walls 92, and acooling unit is supported thereon. While the unit here shown has thenf'an supported on top of the same it is understood that the type shown in Fig. 6 may be .employed, if

desired. A pan or receptacle 94 is supported beneath the unit in any suitable manner as by the bracket or shelf-95. The receptacle 94 has apipe 96connected thereto. .When the vaporizer is defrosted the water collects in the receptacle. 7 If it is desirable tomaintain the air in the cooling room extremely dry the valve or turn-cock 97 is left open and the water as it collects in the pan is discharged into the waste pipe 96. If, however, it is not desirable to remove the moisture from the air, the valve 97' is closed and the Water collected in the receptacle will be reabsorbed by the air. The absorption is greatly facilitated by directing the air current on or over the water contained in said receptacle, as shown in Fig. 10.

The arrangement within a single casing, having oppositely arranged openings for the circulation of air therethrough, of a vaporizer in the line of these openings and a gas liquefying means thermally insulated from the said 35 vaporizer, provides a highly compact and portable refrigerating unit which can be placed in any enclosed space and maintain in that space a low temperature In constructing my unit with a thermally insulated cooling chamber, and in arranging within this chamber the refrigerant circulating tubes with their heat absorbing fins so that they transversely fill practically the entire space within this chamber, I have provided a maximum amount of heat absorbing iurfaces for the warm air entering the chamer sorbing fins and vaporizer loops, and their arrangement within the cooling chamber have not been claimed in this application.

In mounting the fan within one of the air openings in the casing for the unit, and in arranging a thermostat for controlling th s fan within the cooling room and exteriorly of this unit casing, I have provided a structure which ,will automatically maintain a cool atmosphere in the cooling room.

In arranging the openings in the s dewall of the header in separate series extending lengthwise of the said side wall, and having the openings of one series arranged in staggered relation to the openings of another series, I have provided a vaporizer having the maximum number of refrigerant eirculat ing tubes, and at the same time have not unnecessarily weakened the side wall of the header.

In constructing the removable end closure for the header so that it will support the connections for the refrigerant conduits, and

also support the float valve mechanism, I have provided a header structure whichcan be easily taken apart and put together for the purpose of repair.

The concave reentrant end wall for the header, not only provides an adequately strong structure but also reduces the interio space of the header without reducing the wall surface available for the attachment-of insulating tubes, thus providing a vaporizer with a large heat absorbing surface without 'having an unduly large interior space which must be filled with liquid refrigerant.

While I have shown and described in some detail the preferred construction and prehaving its other end, connected to the right The detail construction of the heat ab nected to the side of the 7 comprising a header and a plurality of tubes connected thereto, the said tubes arranged inseries extending lengthwise of the said header; each of the said tubes that form one of the said series having one of its ends connected to the bottom of the said header at the left of the center thereof, and extending downwardly, laterally and upwardly and side of the said header; and eachof the said tubes that form another of said series having one end thereof connected to the bottom of the said header at the right of the center thereof, and extending downwardly, laterally and'upwardly and having its other end connected to the left side of the said header.

2. In a vaporizer for refrigerating apparatus,:a' chamber; tubes projecting alternately from the left. and right side of the center of the bottom portion of the said chamber,

throughout the length thereof; the said tubes which project from the bottom of the chamgher at the left of the center thereof extending downwardly, laterally and upwardly and connecting at their opposite ends to the right hand side of the said-chamber; and the, tubes which project from the bottom of the chamber at the right of the center, extending downwardly, laterally and upwardly and connecting at their opposite ends to the left hand side of the said chamber.

- 3. In arefrigeration unit, a vaporizer come prising a header and depending tube loops arranged in series extending lengthwise of the header; one end of each of the tube loops of one of the'said series connected to the bot-- tom of the header at the left of the center thereof and having its other end connected to the side of the header at the right thereof; and one end of each of-the tube loops that form the other of said series connected to the bottom of the header at the'right of thecenter thereof, and having its other end con header at the'left shape, said tubes being alternately reverse ly 1 with said header, said tubes being'formed and associated with said header to induce refrigerant to travel in opposite directions through adjacent tubes.

8. In refrigeration ap aratus, a vaporizer comprising a header, an a plurality of tubes extending from said header, said tubes being arranged in rows. longitudinally of said header and the endsof adjacent tubes being secured to said header in staggered relation. 9. In refrigeration apparatus, a vaporizer 5 comprising a header, and a pluralityof tubes extending from said header, the ends of said tubes being secured to and: arranged in a plurality of aligned rows on each side of said header. 7

10. In refrigeration apparatus, a vaporizer comprising a header, and a plurality of-U- shaped tubes extending from said, header, the ends of said tubes being secured to and arranged in a plurality of aligned rows on each side of. said header. V 11. In a vaporizer for" refrigeration apparatus, a header comprising a sheet metal receptacle having a closed and an 0 en end,-

an annular retaining ring dispose in the open end ofthe receptacle, said ring having an annular groove formed external y thereof, an inwardly extending flange formed around the open end of theaforesaid receptacle and projecting into said annular groove, a detachable closure for the open end of the receptacle, a float valve supported bythe closure, and means for removably attaching the closure to'the annular ring.

12. In a vaporizer for refrigeration apparatus, a} header comprising a sheet metal receptacle having a closed and an open end,

a closure for said opening having an annular groove formed externally thereof, means for securing the open end of the receptacle in said groove, and a float valve located'in said "header and carried, by said closure.

" 13. In a refrigeration limit, a vaporizer comprising a header adapted to contain liquid refrigerant; tube loops connected at both ends to the said header in such .a manner that the liquid refrigerant will circulate therethrough; and heat conducting fins on said tubeloops. v

14. A vaporizer comprising in combina: tion, an elongated header; a plurality of loopsha tubes each connected at. both its ends to t e sides of the said header and di osed in planes transverse tothe'header; an fins of sheet metal extending from the tubes in the planes of the loops to increase their efiec chamber containing refrigerating coolin meansincluding a container, tubes each en of whichppen into the said container, and fins the sides of which are attached to said tubes, said tubes and fins transversely filling practically the entire side and bottom space of said cooling chamber.

17 In combination with a refrigerating unit, aflrefrigerating evaporating duct connected therewith adapted to be freely suspended in a body of air to be cooled, a vertically disposed cuprous heat absorbing plate disposed close and substantially parallel to said duct and in intimate thermal contact with said duct at a plurality of points along its length, whereby the heat absorption property of said duct is increased.

'18. In combination with a refrigerating unit, a refrigerant evaporating duct connected therewith and arranged to facilitate a free downward circulation of air past it, a.relatively wide and vertically disposed metal heat absorbing fin arranged parallel with and S01- dered to said duct to accentuate downward convection currents of the surrounding air, the absorption of heat therefrom and to increase evaporation of the refrigerant in the portion of said duct thermally united with said heat absorbing fin.

19. In a refrigerating apparatus, an elon gated header adapted to contain refrigerant, a plurality 'of tubes of substantially loop shape connected in open communication with said header in such manner as to cause circulation of the refrigerant therein, said loop shape tubes being disposed in parallel planes transverse to said header, and a plurality of sheet metal heat absorbing members disposed parallel to said looped tubes, each of said members being secured in intimate thermal contact to both sides of the loop of one of said tubes.

20. In refrigerating apparatus,'a vaporizer comprising a header adapted to contain a liquid, a plurality of pipe loops having their ends secured in open communication with said header, the two ends of each loop being disposed in relatively different horizontal low the level of the liquid contained therein the lengths of the two portions of each of said tubes from the lowermost point thereof to the point of connection to the header being relatively different, and heat absorbing fins secured to said tubes.

22. In a refrigerant unit, an evaporator comprising a header adapted to contain refrigerant, a plurality of ducts disposed externally of said header and each having both ends connected in open communication with said header, said ducts being so arranged as to promote the circulation of refrigerant therethrough, and a plurality of vertically disposed metallic heat absorbing members secured to said ducts.

23. In a refrigerating unit, an evaporator comprising a header adapted to contain refrigerant, means for supplying refrigerant thereto in liquid form and for removing refrigerant therefrom in gaseous form, means for controlling the admission of liquid refrigerant to said'header, a plurality of ducts having both ends in open communication with said header, one end of each of said ducts being connected to said header in a-higher horizontal lane than the other end, and a plurality o vertically disposed metallic heat absorbing members secured to said ducts.

24. In a refrigerating unit,-.an evaporator comprising a header adapted to contain refrigerant, means for supplying refrigerant thereto in liquid form and for'removing refrigerant therefrom ingaseous form, means for controlling the admission of liquid refrigerant to said header, a plurality of duets having both ends in open communication w1th said header, one end of each of said ducts being connected to said header in a higher horizontal plane than the other end, at least the lower end of each of said ducts being disposed below the normal level of the refrigerant in said header, and a plurality of verticallydisposed metallic heat absorbing members secured to said ducts.

25. In a refrigeration unit, a vaporizer disposed in the path of the circulating air in the interior of a refrigerated compartment, said vaporizer comprising a header adaptedto contain refrigerant liquid, a tube loop connected at both ends to the header, and a heat conducting fin associated with one of the legs of the loop and extending into the circulating column of air for increasing the heat absorbing capacity of the vaporizer.

26. In a refrigeration unit, a vaporizer comprising a header adapted to contain re-' frigerant liquid, a tube loopconnected at both ends to the header, and a heat conducting fin associated with one of the legs of the loop and projecting in a plane substantially in alignment with the legs of the loop for increasing the heat absorbing capacity thereof. 27. In a refrigeration unit, a vaporizer comprisinga header adapted to contain re-' frigerant liquid, and non-symmetrical tube loops connected at both ends to the header, the legs-of each of said tube loops having unequal capacities for the absorption of heat and adjacent tubes being reversely turned with respect to one another.

28. In refrigeratingapparatus, a refrigerant expansion'unit comprising a liquid resaid fins in one row being staggered with respect to the fins in another.

' 29. In refrigerating apparatus, a refrigerant expansion unit comprising a receiver adapted to contain liquid refrigerant, unsymmetrical pipe loops arranged in aligned relation and secured with their ends in open communication with said receiver below the liquid refrigerant level therein, andheat absorbing means associated with the exterior of a similar portion of each pipe loop.

30. A refrigerant evaporating unit comprising aspaced pair of liquid refrigerant evaporating conduits, and a channel-shape fin secured in thermal contact with the conguits along the parallel opposite edges of the 31. A refrigerant evaporating unit comprising a's'paced pair of refrigerant liquid evaporating conduits, and a channel-shape fin secured to the adjacent edges of the spaced conduits, said channel-shape fin having portions thereof projecting outwardly a substantial distance beyond the limits of the evaporating conduits.

' 32.,A refrigerant evaporating unit com= prisin a header having a plurality of spaced and aligned loops projecting therefrom, and a plurality of channel-shape fins secured between the loops in thermal contact therewith,

said channel shape fins being provided with portions remote from the loops in planes intersecting the longitudinal axis of the header. a

33. The combination with a refrigerator cooled by circulation of air internally thereof, of a refrigerant evaporating unit located cooled by circulation of air internal] there-' having a plurality of communicating refri erant conveying ducts wherein heat is 'a sorbed by refrigerant fluid directly from the nally thereof for the distri ution and eva receiving passages arranged in said walls, a

sin le refrigerant receptacle communicating wit the passages in th of the aforesai spaced and parallel metallic walls whereby refrigerant liquid is supplied to and va r-v ized refrigerant received from the a oresaid passages in both of said walls, and means. associated with said single receptacle for supplying refrigerant liquid to and for exhausting va orized refrigerant from the latter.

34. e combination with arefrigerator of, of a refri rant evaporating unit isposed internally 0 said refri rator in direct heat exchanging relation wit said circulating air, said refrigerant evaporating unit compfising a refri'geratin compartment disposed both. internally an externally in heat ex-' chan 'ng relation with said circulating air and aving a spaced pairof unitary sifde' portions for reventin circulation of air therethrough tween e interior and exterior of said compartment, said side portions air both interiorly'and exteriorly of said compartment, and means for supplying refrigerant liquid to and for exhausting refrigerant Y vapor from said ducts.

- 35. A refrigerating apparatus comprisin a heat insulated cabinet arranged for the circulation of air internally thereof, a refrigerant evagoring unit disposed within said cabinet an so constructed and arranged as to divide the latter into a plurality of refrigerating compartments, said evaporating unit comprising a substantially planular solid metallic wall having passa es formed interoration of refrigerant liquid, the opposite sides of said planular solid metallic wall being so positioned as to absorb heat from different refrigerating compartments, means associated with one side of said planular meheat absorbing'surface thereof, means for supplying refrigerant liquid to said passages in said wall, and a refrigerant conde unit for exhausting and condensing the flui evaporated in said passages.

- 36. In refrigeration apparatus, a refriger an t expansion 'unit comprising'a liquid 1'8? frigerant evaporator, and a plurality ofparallel rows of fins connected in thermal' contact with said evaporator, said fins in said rows being arranged in staggered relation to the fins in the adjacent row.

37. A refrigerating-apparatus comprising a heat insulated .cabinet arranged for the circulation of air internally thereof, a refrigerant evaporating unit disposed within said cabinet and so constructed and arranged as to divide the latterinto aplurality of refrigerating compartments, said evaporat-- solid metallic wall having ant evaporating unit irregular in cross sectional configuration an g embracing depressions extending inwardly between the said side portions a plurality of passa formed internally of the wall for the distribution andeva oration of refriger' "evaporated in said passages. tallic wall for substantially increasing the I ing unit comprising-a' substantiall planular impe orate side portions, one of said 'si e portions 'bein irregular in cross sectional configuration an embracing depressions extending inwardly other side portion for increasing the heat transfer surface of the wall and providin between the said side portions a lurality o passages formed internally of t e wall absorb heat from diflerent're 'gerating compartments, means for supplyin refrigerant figs to-said passages in sai re for. the distribution and evaporation of refng'erant liquid. the opposite sides of said planular solid metallic wall being so of the wall and integrally united with the sitioned as to r wall, and a gerant condensing unit for e'xhaustin and condensing the fluid evaporated'in passages. v

38. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a heat insulated cabinet arranged for. the cir-- culation of air internall thereof," a refriger- 's osed within said cabinet and so constructe and arranged as s'ai '-to divide the latter. into a plurality offrefrigerating compartments, said evaporating unit comprising a substantially planular solid metallic wall -'having imperforate side portions, one-of said side portions beiii of the wall and integrally with the other side portion for increasing the heat transfersurfaee of the wall and providing ant liquid, the opposite sides of said planular solid metallic wall being so ositioned as to a absorb heat from different re gerating' compartments, means com rising a'reservoir for supplying refrigerant quid to said in said well, and a refrigerant 'condensm unit for exhausting and condensing the flui 39. A refrigerating I a heat insulated ca inet arranged or'the circulation of airinternallythereof, a .re-

- frigerant evaporating unit disposed within sai cabinet and so constructed and arranged. as to divide the latter into aapparatus com rising plurality of refrigerating compartments, said eva rat-.

ing unit eomprising'a pair of aralle subopposite sides of each of said planular solid metallic walls being so positioned as to absorb heat from difie rent refizigerating compartments, means for supplying refrigerant liquid to said passages in said walls, and a refrigerant condensing unit for exhaustin and condensing the fluid evaporated in mi passages.

signature.

JOHN R. REPLOGLE. 

